Distilling zinc with zinc sulfide ores: The technology of Qing Dynasty zinc production in Guiyang, Central South China

Xiao, Ya; Mo, Linheng; Chen, Jianli; Zhou, Wenli; Liu, Shaojun

doi:10.1016/j.jasrep.2020.102435

Cited by 1 publication

(6 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…The mineralogical composition of the unearthed zinc calcine includes major amounts of franklinite (ZnFe 2 O 4 ), cerussite (PbCO 3 ), and willemite (Zn 2 SiO 4 ), as well as minor amounts of hemimorphite [Zn 4 Si 2 O 7 (OH) 2 (H 2 O)], anglesite (PbSO 4 ), fluorite (CaF 2 ), quartz (SiO 2 ), and hematite (Fe 2 O 3 ) [ 21 ]. Figure 2 shows the general morphology and microstructure of the unearthed zinc calcine.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The ores used for the reconstruction experiments come from the Huangshaping Lead-Zinc Mine, which is a large polymetallic deposit that was mined for an extended period in the Qing Dynasty [ 26 , 27 ], about 5 km away from the Doulingxia site. The ores used for the experiments were selected according to the analytical results of the unearthed calcines and the ores found in the Tongmuling site [ 21 ]. To avoid the inhomogeneity of the mineral content in the ores affecting the results of the experiments, and to shorten the retention time, the ores were crushed to particles with average diameters in a range from 2 mm to 1 cm.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Significantly distinguished from the zinc smelting sites found in Chongqing [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ], a large number of cylindrical hearths ( Figure 1 a) were found to be distributed on the edge of the smelting area in the sites [ 20 ]. Our previous study reveals that in these cylindrical hearths, a lengthy roasting process was conducted to oxidize the zinc sulfide ores at a lower temperature before distilling [ 21 ]. In addition, a basket of well-preserved reddish-brown powders confirmed as the products of the roasted zinc sulfide ores has been found at one of the house foundations in the Doulingxia site ( Figure 1 b).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, a basket of well-preserved reddish-brown powders confirmed as the products of the roasted zinc sulfide ores has been found at one of the house foundations in the Doulingxia site ( Figure 1 b). The distilling retorts and technological smelting process of zinc sulfide ores in Guiyang County have been reconstructed [ 21 ]. However, the roasting technology, including the roasting conditions and the metallurgical processes during roasting are still unclear.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The roasting method in Guiyang in the Qing dynasty period could likely be consistent with that in the Songbai zinc smelting plant. It was recorded that the entire roasting process in the Songbai Traditional Zinc Smelting Plant in Hunan province usually takes 21 days, requiring repeated calcination and crushing three times [ 21 , 22 ]. It can be seen that the roasting process is very time-consuming.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Microstructure, Mineralogical Characterization and the Metallurgical Process Reconstruction of the Zinc Calcine Relics from the Zinc Smelting Site (Qing Dynasty)

Xiao

Zhou

et al. 2021

Materials

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The smelting of zinc is considered as one of the most challenging technologies in ancient civilization. Compared with non-sulfide zinc ores, the smelting of zinc sulfide ores is more complicated since they have to be roasted before smelting. The technological smelting process of the ancient zinc metallurgy technology has been studied and partly reconstructed. However, the roasting technology, including the roasting conditions and involved metallurgical processes, is still unclear. The discovery of the zinc smelting site of Doulingxia dates back to the Qing dynasty (CE 1636–1912), and for the first time provides us with critical archeological evidence to gain an insight into the roasting technology in ancient zinc metallurgy technology. In this paper, the microstructure and mineralogical features of the zinc calcine relics found at the Doulingxia site were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy coupled with X-ray energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS). To reconstruct the metallurgical process, the original roasting temperature of the unearthed zinc calcine was estimated by thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), combined with reheating experiments and phase composition analysis as well as microstructural analysis. The simulation experiments were conducted to reconstruct the roasting process. The results indicated that the original roasting temperature of the unearthed zinc calcine should be in a range of 650–850 °C, most probably near 750 °C. As long as the retention time is long enough, all sphalerite can be oxidized when the roasting temperature is above 650 °C. The final roasting products mainly include tiny porous particles of ZnFe2O4, Fe2O3, PbSO4, and ZnO. These findings are helpful to reconstruct the ancient zinc metallurgy technology of zinc sulfide ores.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%